MCQ 11 Mark
Point charges $+4 q,-q$ and $+4 q$ are kept on the $X$-axis at points $x=0, x=a$ and $x=2$ a respectively:
- Aall the charges are in unstable equilibrium
- Ball the charges are in stable equilibrium
- Cnone of the charges is in equilibrium
- Donly - q is in stable equilibrium
Answer
View full question & answer→(a) all the charges are in unstable equilibrium
Explanation: The net force on each charge is zero. Therefore, all the charges are in equilibrium. If we slightly displace the charge -q to the right, the net force of attraction will further displace it to the right i.e., away from its mean positive. The equilibrium is, therefore, unstable.
Explanation: The net force on each charge is zero. Therefore, all the charges are in equilibrium. If we slightly displace the charge -q to the right, the net force of attraction will further displace it to the right i.e., away from its mean positive. The equilibrium is, therefore, unstable.

